building

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noun build·ing \ ˈbil-diŋ \

Definition of building

1 :a usually roofed and walled structure built for permanent use (as for a dwelling)

2 :the art or business of assembling materials into a structure

See building defined for English-language learners

See building defined for kids

Examples of building in a Sentence

My office is in that small brick building.
We bought the land for building.

Recent Examples of building from the Web

Of the firms surveyed in Alabama, more than half deal in public building, private office and retail and lodging construction.

— william thornton, AL.com, "Construction firms struggling to fill hourly craft positions, survey says," 30 Aug. 2017
They will be set up in the lobby of the management office building, located between American Eagle and Justice and behind Barnes & Noble.

— Naperville Sun, "How you can help Harvey victims," 30 Aug. 2017
Burns & McDonnell leads one of the four teams vying to build and finance a new $1 billion single-terminal building at KCI airport.

— lynn horsley, kansascity, "Ethics commission rules for councilwoman on conflict over KCI," 30 Aug. 2017
July building permits for New Zealand and Australia are also slated to be released.

— luke kawa, Bloomberg.com, "Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day," 29 Aug. 2017
Union officials encouraged members to picket with their families outside the main building and at other county facilities throughout the region.

— joshua stewart, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego County's biggest union announces strike date," 29 Aug. 2017
Security cameras at other buildings did not captured the theft.

— kate mccann, Daily Southtown, "Construction equipment stolen at planned hotel site in Tinley, police say," 29 Aug. 2017
Roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and other pavements, along with asphalt, concrete, brick, stone, and other building materials, combine to create impervious surfaces that resist the natural absorption of water.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Houston's Flood Is a Design Problem," 28 Aug. 2017
Relax on a chic chaise and take in stunning rooftop views from one of the tallest buildings along the Sunset Strip.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "Five Gorgeous Hotel Pools Where You Can Cool off without Booking a Room," 28 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'building.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of building

13th century

building Synonyms

Synonyms

edifice, structure

Related Words

construction, erection; bungalow, cabin, chalet, cottage, house, lodge, summerhouse; hovel, hut, hutment, shack, shanty, shed; castle, château, estate, hall, manor, mansion, palace, pile, villa; skyscraper, tower

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

BUILDING Defined for English Language Learners

building

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noun

Definition of building for English Language Learners

: a structure (such as a house, hospital, school, etc.) with a roof and walls that is used as a place for people to live, work, do activities, store things, etc.
: the act or process of making structures by putting together materials